NewzIntel.com

Category: Military Intelligence

  • PM Modi extends birthday wishes to Rahul Gandhi, wishes him long and healthy life

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday extended his greetings to Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on the occasion of his 55th birthday.

    “Birthday greetings to the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Shri Rahul Gandhi. May he be blessed with a long and healthy life,” the Prime Minister wrote on X.

    Rahul Gandhi, born on June 19, 1970, at Delhi’s Holy Family Hospital, is the elder son of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. He belongs to a distinguished political lineage that includes India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

    Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari also conveyed their wishes on social media. “Greetings to the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Shri Rahul Gandhi on his birthday. May he be blessed with good health and a long life,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh posted.

    Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, said: “Extending my heartfelt birthday wishes to the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and Lok Sabha MP from Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh Shri Rahul Gandhi ji. May this occasion bring joy, and the year ahead be filled with health and prosperity.”

    To mark the occasion, the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) is organising a large-scale job fair at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi. The event, coinciding with Gandhi’s birthday, is expected to host over 100 companies and multinational corporations, offering more than 5,000 job opportunities across various sectors.

    -IANS

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman McCollum Signs onto War Powers Resolution to Prohibit Involvement in Iran without a Vote in Congress

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

    SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, announced on Wednesday that she is co-sponsoring a war powers resolution introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) aimed at prohibiting U.S. military involvement in Iran without Congressional authorization.

    “I am deeply concerned by President Trump’s escalatory rhetoric. The United States is not at war with Iran. Any offensive military action taken by the U.S. must receive a vote in Congress,” said Congresswoman McCollum.

    The text of the Massie-Khanna Iran War Powers Resolution is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: What to do this coming weekend at the Summer in Moscow project sites

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The events of the large-scale project “Summer in Moscow” continue in the capital. We tell you where you can go with your whole family on June 20, 21 and 22. Most events are free to attend, but some require registration.

    Rock, Paper, Scissors Championship

    A large-scale championship in the game “Rock, Paper, Scissors” is held at the project sites. Every day, children and adults can compete on Tverskoy Boulevard.

    On June 20, the game will be held in Severnoye Butovo Park (Feodosiyskaya Street, Building 7, Building 6). On June 21, you can play on the Moskovskikh Sezonov site on Teply Stan Street (Building 1b). On June 22, the competition will be held in Akademichesky Park (Dmitrya Ulyanov Street, Building 9a, Building 1). The sites will be open from 15:00 to 20:00.

    Tournament “Heroes of the Chessboard. Moscow”

    On June 22 from 12:00 to 16:00 the next competitions of the tournament “Heroes of the Chessboard. Moscow” will take place. To participate you need to register.

    An open series of blitz chess tournaments is taking place at40 sites all over Moscow – in parks, on boulevards and in the districts.

    Tverskoy Boulevard: Summer Club “Moscow”

    On Tverskoy Boulevard, there is a summer club called “Moscow”, where residents and guests of the capital of all ages can find an event to their liking. They are offered rock climbing and yoga classes, master classes, lectures and much more.

    From June 20 to 22, guests will be able to take part in beauty events dedicated to the graduation party. The space of two pop-up stores will be occupied by Russian brands. In addition, three beauty trucks will be operating on the site. All guests will be offered discounts, gifts, yoga classes, presentations, a photo and video zone with floral elements. And for graduates, a master class on creating perfume will be held.

    Strastnoy Boulevard: Art Studio venue

    The “Art Studio” site operates on Strastnoy Boulevard. Here, professionals help guests master the basics of painting and create unique masterpieces. Participants in outdoor classes paint landscapes and still lifes in various artistic techniques.

    Master classes will be held at two sites every hour from 12:00 to 19:00. On June 20, you can attend watercolor painting classes “Flower Stained Glass” and “Fruit Slices”. On June 21, there will be master classes in pastel technique “Dandelion Field” and “Colorful Houses”. On June 22, guests are invited to master classes in pencil drawing “Summer Pop Art” and “Sunny Day”.

    Music of the past at the vintage market in Kolomenskoye

    The vintage market in Kolomenskoye will be open all summer and will bring together the most famous collectors of the capital, who bring here precious relics of the past: jewelry, household items, figurines, dishes, badges, coins, stamps, rare books and much more.

    From June 20 to 22, guests at the market will learn what the USSR era sounded like and get acquainted with the musical technology of the past.

    The journey through time will take place under the atmospheric sound of gramophone records. Guests of the vintage market will be delighted by the famous radio amateur and blogger Nikita Sharapa, better known as Elektronik, one of the main participants of the project “Made in the USSR”.

    At Nikita Sharapa’s master classes, which will be held these days at 16:00, visitors will learn how gramophones, radios and record players work and how tube sound differs from modern technology. Guests will hear that very crackling of records and the characteristic “warm” analog sound that evokes nostalgia. Nikita will tell you what kind of music devices were created in the USSR and what hits of those times were played on them in every home.

    Chistoprudny Boulevard: “Street. Dances” venue

    On Chistoprudny Boulevard, the “Street. Dances” venue has opened, where master classes for the whole family are held. On weekends, the “Summer in Moscow. Dances” children’s and youth tournament is held here, and anyone can become a spectator.

    On the big stage on June 20 from 18:00 to 19:00 there will be a demonstration performance by the dance group Todes, from 19:00 to 22:00 – a master class in bachata and a dance party. On the same day on the middle stage from 19:00 to 22:30 you can attend a master class in salsa and a dance party.

    On June 21, the main stage will host a qualifying round of children’s competitions from 12:00 to 19:00, and a salsa master class and dance party from 19:00 to 22:30. On the middle stage, from 16:00 to 17:00, you can take part in a master class of the dance community “TantsBaza”. From 19:00 to 22:30, there will be a master class in modern swing and a party of the dance school “Lisoborie”.

    On June 22, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, students of the musical theater of the Russian Institute of Theater Arts — GITIS will perform songs from the war years on the rotunda stage. On the main stage, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, there will be a master class in Argentine tango by the CyberTango dance school, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM — demonstration performances by the Todes dance group, from 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM — a salsa master class and a dance party. On the middle stage, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, there will be a master class by the 9 Halls dance school, from 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM — a master class in Dominican bachata and a dance party.

    Bolotnaya Square

    The Green Market pavilion of the Made in Moscow project is open in Repinsky Square on Bolotnaya Square. On June 20, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., test session cosmetics of the capital brand. The factory employees will tell you how to use them and let you test samples.

    On June 21, at 15:00, the Creative hub will host a lesson on making a wax candle, at 16:00 — a meditative lesson on coloring a mandala, and at 17:00 — a unique master class on fashion illustration. At 19:00, everyone will be able to take part in neurographics, where everyone will project their task on a piece of paper using a drawing.

    At the “Microgreens” class in the “Razvitie” hub from 17:00 to 18:00, participants will be taught how to grow microgreens and told about their beneficial properties. At 18:00, a lettering master class will begin. On the veranda from 14:00 to 15:00, Spirit.Fitness will hold a sports master class to develop endurance and flexibility of the body. And at 18:00, the popular game “Mafia” will take place.

    Revolution Square: Leto Department Store

    This summer, the department store of Russian designers “Leto” is open on Revolution Square. Everyone can not only try on clothes they like and update their wardrobe, but also listen to lectures, take part in master classes and even watch performances.

    On June 21 from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM you can listen to a lecture on “The History of Flower Etiquette”. Guests will learn about the importance of flowers in the life of Russian society and the bouquet fashion of the 19th century.

    From 18:00 to 19:30 there will be a master class oninterior bouquet Ksenia Mezentseva, designer-decorator, researcher of Russian and foreign traditions, and the Sota flowers floristic team.

    Festival “Book in the City”: venue in Pushkin Square

    On June 21 from 20:40 to 21:30, cellist Anastasia Vesnina will perform at the “Book in the City” venue in Pushkin Square (near house 2 on Pushkin Square).

    On June 22 from 16:00 to 17:00 there will be a presentation of the book “Letters of Lidochka M”. The collection-document tells about Lida Makeeva, a young reader of the library, whose childhood fell on the years of the Great Patriotic War. On the same day from 18:00 to 19:00 there will be a creative meeting with the actor of theater and cinema Anton Shagin and a presentation of his book “Neblyandiya. Poems for children”.

    Circus divertissements

    On June 20, 21 and 22, there will be circus entertainment for the whole family. Aerial gymnasts, equilibrists, jugglers, clowns and four-legged artists will perform for guests in the Moskino Cinema Park and Izmailovsky Park. Also on June 20, the third tent will open in the Yuzhnoye Butovo Landscape Park. Spectators will be able to see acrobatic numbers, clown skits and exciting stunts with the participation of artists from the famous Bolshoi Moscow Circus on Vernadsky Avenue.

    The performances will run throughout the summer season. On Fridays, performances are from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM, and on Saturdays and Sundays, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM and 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. You can find out more and buy tickets atofficial website project.

    Yoga classes

    On June 21, fans of the most popular Eastern health practice will gather at the helipad near the Michurinsky Garden of VDNKh to celebrate the XI International Day of Yoga.

    From 09:00 to 19:00 there will be sessions for visitors of any level of training, master classes on drawing mandalas and playing the hang, lectures on Ayurveda and meditation, as well as live performances by musicians. Creative events and dishes of traditional Indian cuisine will complement the festive atmosphere. To visit, you must register on the portal Ruspass.

    In addition, yoga classes are held every weekend on the roofs of the district centers “Meeting Place” as part of the project “My Sports District”Adults over 18 years of age can join them.

    The training sessions will be held at 12 sites in five districts of Moscow: SAO — “Meeting Place “Prague”, “Meeting Place “Rassvet”, “Meeting Place “Neva””; VAO — “Meeting Place “Yantar”, “Meeting Place “Sofia”, “Meeting Place “Budapest”, “Meeting Place “Mars””; SAO — “Meeting Place “Elbrus”, “Meeting Place “Angara”, “Meeting Place “Orbita””; YuVAO — “Meeting Place “Height” and “Meeting Place “Ekran””. On June 21, the classes will begin at 11:45. It is necessary register.

    The project also invites you to engage in physical education in unusual places “Sports Weekend”. Yoga classes are held on Saturdays at 50 venues, including such picturesque places as the Vorontsovo Estate, the Hermitage Garden, Khodynka Field Park, the Muzeon Arts Park, Victory Park and others. In addition, the project includes 13 festival venues in different areas of Moscow. To attend the classes, you must register.

    Events in the parks

    In Izmailovsky Park of Culture and Leisure (Bolshoy Krug Alley, Building 7) on June 21 from 12:00 to 19:00 retro studio. Visitors will be able to feel like representatives of the 19th century nobility. They will be offered to try on images of bygone eras and take photos in costumes as a keepsake.

    A master class will be held in Kuzminsky Park (house 1, building 2) on June 21 from 12:00 to 14:00 “Noble accessories. Brooches”Participants will learn about the history of jewelry, its symbolism, and will also make an exquisite brooch under the guidance of a master.

    On June 21, from 12:00 to 19:00 (with breaks), the Kuzminki estate will host noble promenade. Guests will stroll through a picturesque park, discuss books they have read, and listen to romances with a guitar. They will be able to learn the rules of etiquette and learn fashionable social dances of the 19th century.

    On June 1, from 12:00 to 18:00, Vorontsov Park will host estate gamesVisitors can play lapta, croquet, badminton, gorodki and trinkets, and also visit the throwing range.

    The festival “Gardens and Vegetable Gardens” continues in five parks of the capital. This weekend, about 130 events and master classes have been prepared for visitors. A series of classes on making bookmarks and postcards with fresh flowers, clay panels with plant prints and ecobombing (making balls with seeds that can be taken with you and planted in any convenient place) will be held for children. In addition, a practical lesson “Microgreens” will be held. Experienced experts will also share simple techniques, useful tips and life hacks for a healthy lifestyle.

    Cinema park “Moskino”

    On June 21, from 12:00 to 19:00, the Moskino cinema park will host waltz, quadrille and polka dance lessons every hour. You can take part in them with an entrance ticket to the cinema park.

    You can immerse yourself in the world of film production by participating in the immersive quest performance “Film! Film! Film!” It will take place at the “Uyezdny Gorod” site on June 21 from 12:00 to 18:30 (sessions will be held every hour). Visitors will not only see how a film is shot, but will also complete a number of fun tasks, meet the director, producer and actors, and will be able to create their own masterpiece. Participation is included in the price of an entrance ticket to the cinema park.

    On June 22 at 12:00, the Moscow of the 1940s site will host the “We Remember” event, dedicated to the memory of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War. Guests will be able to spell out the word “remember” from red lanterns with lit candles and recall how exactly 83 years ago – on June 22, 1941 – the festive graduation morning was overshadowed by the news of Germany’s treacherous attack on the Soviet Union. At 12:15, there will be a minute of silence.

    In addition, on June 22 at 14:00, 16:00 and 18:00, as part of the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow, the cinema park will show the play “Tish” based on the story “The Dawns Here Are Quiet…” by war veteran writer Boris Vasiliev. The performers are the actors of the Young Muscovites Theatre. Admission is with a ticket to the cinema park.

    For the anniversary of Victory

    On June 21 and 22, two outstanding films about the Great Patriotic War will be shown in Zaryadye Park as part of the Cinema Summer in Zaryadye project: The Cranes Are Flying (1957) and Brest Fortress (2010). The screenings will begin at 22:15. The films will be presented by Honored Artist of Russia Vasily Mishchenko, as well as director, screenwriter, producer and People’s Artist of Russia Igor Ugolnikov. Admission is free.

    Also, as part of the Theatre Weekend festival, on June 22 in Zaryadye Park, on the stage of the large amphitheater, you can see plays and literary and musical productions based on plays by writers who fought in the war and dedicated to the 80th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War. Actors from the Russian Academic Youth Theater will show the play “Amazement Before Life” based on the works of the writer and war veteran Viktor Rozov. Third-year students from the Moscow State Institute of Culture will perform the literary and musical composition “Frontline Brigades.” The play “On a Clear Day,” based on a story by Viktor Astafyev, will be presented by actors from the Donetsk Republican Youth Theater. Actors from the Moscow Sovremennik Theater will show fragments of the play “A Tale. The story of extraordinary love, and the students of the Moscow Art Theatre School will present the musical and literary program Russian Poets about the Great Patriotic War, which will feature works by Bulat Okudzhava, Alexander Tvardovsky, Andrei Voznesensky, Olga Bergolts, Vladimir Lugovskoy, Yunna Moritz and other authors. People’s Artist of Russia Konstantin Raikin will read the poem Snowfall by David Samoilov. The festival program will end with a concert by actors from the Central Academic Theatre of the Russian Army.

    Festival “Theatre Boulevard”

    On June 22 at 15:00, the amphitheater on Pokrovsky Boulevard will show the concert performance “It happened, the men left…” Actresses from the Moscow Drama Theater named after A.S. Pushkin will take part in the production.

    The project “Unconquered Kursk” will begin here on June 22 at 21:00. Guests will learn more than 200 real stories of veterans of the Battle of Kursk and modern defenders of the Fatherland.

    On June 22 at 8:00 pm, the amphitheater in the Polytech Museum Park will host the play “Children of War”. It is based on letters from children and parents from the front, archival materials and memories, into which war songs are woven.

    On the stage on Chistoprudny Boulevard on June 22 at 18:00 the performance-concert “May Waltz” will begin. It is dedicated to the artists of the front brigades who performed in dugouts, hospitals, factory workshops and on ships.

    The third festival “Theatre Weekend” will be held in Zaryadye Park on June 21 and 22. It will provide an opportunity to get acquainted with both recognized stage masters and talented debutants, opening up new horizons of theatrical art.

    Project “Summer in Moscow”— the main event of the season. It brings together the most vibrant events of the capital. Every day, charity, cultural and sports programs are held in all districts of the city, most of which are free. The Summer in Moscow project is being held for the second time, and this season will be more eventful: new, original and colorful festivals and events will be added to the traditional ones.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/155437073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Israel says it has launched new airstrikes in western Iran

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    JERUSALEM/TEHRAN, June 19 (Xinhua) — The Israeli Air Force carried out new strikes on western Iran on Wednesday evening, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Effie Defrin said in a video message.

    The fighter jets flew over launch sites and storage areas for surface-to-surface missiles, hitting people trying to access and remove ammunition from previously shelled areas, he said.

    The IDF spokesman said it was the third major wave of Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory in the past 24 hours. During the initial overnight operation, more than 50 fighter jets struck about 40 targets around Tehran.

    “Among the targets hit was a centrifuge plant, a key component of the Iranian regime’s uranium enrichment efforts,” Defrin said. Also hit was a facility near Tehran used to produce anti-tank missiles, including for the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, he added.

    The second wave of strikes began on Wednesday afternoon, with aircraft hitting more than 20 targets in the Tehran area.

    “The targets hit were part of Iran’s military industry and its security apparatus,” said E. Defrin. “They include three important facilities related to missile production, including engines, navigation systems and missile assembly.”

    In a video address to the nation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had air superiority over Tehran.

    Israel carried out an airstrike on Wednesday near police headquarters in Tehran, injuring several police officers, Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: E. Macron called for talks to resolve Iranian nuclear crisis and condemned escalation of conflict

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    PARIS, June 19 (Xinhua) — French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that a lasting solution to the Iranian nuclear issue can only be achieved through negotiations.

    During a meeting of the National Defense and Security Council, he reiterated that France is committed to an uncompromising dialogue with Iran.

    The president also expressed concern about the ongoing escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran, with strikes increasingly targeting targets unrelated to the Islamic Republic’s nuclear and missile programs, the Elysee Palace said in a press release.

    “It is urgent to stop these military operations, which pose a serious threat to regional security,” the Elysee Palace said.

    E. Macron also instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs to propose in the coming days, in close consultation with key European partners, a credible plan for a negotiated settlement that would end the conflict. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Who are Iran’s allies? And would any help if the US joins Israel in its war?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ali Mamouri, Research Fellow, Middle East Studies, Deakin University

    As Israel continues its attacks on Iran, US President Donald Trump and other global leaders are hardening their stance against the Islamic Republic.

    While considering a US attack on Iran’s nuclear sites, Trump has threatened Iran’s supreme leader, claiming to know his location and calling him “an easy target”. He has demanded “unconditional surrender” from Iran.

    Meanwhile, countries such as Germany, Canada, the UK and Australia have toughened their rhetoric, demanding Iran fully abandon its nuclear program.

    So, as the pressure mounts on Iran, has it been left to fight alone? Or does it have allies that could come to its aid?

    Has Iran’s ‘axis of resistance’ fully collapsed?

    Iran has long relied on a network of allied paramilitary groups across the Middle East as part of its deterrence strategy. This approach has largely shielded it from direct military strikes by the US or Israel, despite constant threats and pressure.

    This so-called “axis of resistance” includes groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) in Iraq, the Houthi militants in Yemen, as well as Hamas in Gaza, which has long been under Iran’s influence to varying degrees. Iran also supported Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria before it was toppled last year.

    These groups have served both as a regional buffer and as a means for Iran to project power without direct engagement.

    However, over the past two years, Israel has dealt significant blows to the network.

    Hezbollah — once Iran’s most powerful non-state ally — has been effectively neutralised after months of attacks by Israel. Its weapons stocks were systematically targeted and destroyed across Lebanon. And the group suffered a major psychological and strategic loss with the assassination of its most influential leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

    In Syria, Iranian-backed militias have been largely expelled following the fall of Assad’s regime, stripping Iran of another key foothold in the region.

    That said, Iran maintains strong influence in Iraq and Yemen.

    The PMF in Iraq, with an estimated 200,000 fighters, remains formidable. The Houthis have similarly sized contingent of fighters in Yemen.

    Should the situation escalate into an existential threat to Iran — as the region’s only Shiite-led state — religious solidarity could drive these groups to become actively involved. This would rapidly expand the war across the region.

    The PMF, for instance, could launch attacks on the 2,500 US troops stationed in Iraq. Indeed, the head of Kata’ib Hezbollah, one of the PMF’s more hardline factions, promised to do so:

    If America dares to intervene in the war, we will directly target its interests and military bases spread across the region without hesitation.

    Iran itself could also target US bases in the Persian Gulf countries with ballistic missiles, as well as close the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s oil supply flows.

    Will Iran’s regional and global allies step in?

    Several regional powers maintain close ties with Iran. The most notable among them is Pakistan — the only Islamic country with a nuclear arsenal.

    For weeks, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has tried to align Iran more closely with Pakistan in countering Israel’s actions in Gaza.

    In a sign of Pakistan’s importance in the Israel-Iran war, Trump has met with the country’s army chief in Washington as he weighs a possible strike on its neighbour.

    Pakistan’s leaders have also made their allegiances very clear. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has offered Iran’s president “unwavering solidarity” in the “face of Israel’s unprovoked aggression”. And Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif recently said in an interview Israel will “think many times before taking on Pakistan”.

    These statements signal a firm stance without explicitly committing to intervention.

    Yet, Pakistan has also been working to de-escalate tensions. It has urged other Muslim-majority nations and its strategic partner, China, to intervene diplomatically before the violence spirals into a broader regional war.

    In recent years, Iran has also made diplomatic overtures to former regional rivals, such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt, in order to improve relations.

    These shifts have helped rally broader regional support for Iran. Nearly two dozen Muslim-majority countries — including some that maintain diplomatic relations with Israel — have jointly condemned Israel’s actions and urged de-escalation.

    It’s unlikely, though, that regional powers such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey would support Iran materially, given their strong alliances with the US.

    Iran’s key global allies, Russia and China, have also condemned Israel’s strikes. They have previously shielded Tehran from punitive resolutions at the UN Security Council.

    However, neither power appears willing — at least for now — to escalate the confrontation by providing direct military support to Iran or engaging in a standoff with Israel and the US.

    Theoretically, this could change if the conflict widens and Washington openly pursues a regime change strategy in Tehran. Both nations have major geopolitical and security interests in Iran’s stability. This is due to Iran’s long-standing “Look East” policy and the impact its instability could have on the region and the global economy.

    However, at the current stage, many analysts believe both are unlikely to get involved directly.

    Moscow stayed on the sidelines when Assad’s regime collapsed in Syria, one of Russia’s closest allies in the region. Not only is it focused on its war in Ukraine, Russia also wouldn’t want to endanger improving ties with the Trump administration.

    China has offered Iran strong rhetorical support, but history suggests it has little interest in getting directly involved in Middle Eastern conflicts.

    Ali Mamouri does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Who are Iran’s allies? And would any help if the US joins Israel in its war? – https://theconversation.com/who-are-irans-allies-and-would-any-help-if-the-us-joins-israel-in-its-war-259265

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth to Hegseth: “Let the Military Get Back to Its Real Job Defending Americans, Not Policing Them”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    June 18, 2025

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) excoriated Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for deploying American servicemembers to police and intimidate their fellow Americans in our nation’s communities, something that actively undermines the Secretary’s own self-proclaimed goal of strengthening our military’s warfighting capabilities and protecting Americans from real foreign threats. Duckworth underscored how misusing our military for domestic law enforcement matters diverts taxpayer dollars and our Armed Forces’ attention away from the combat training that servicemembers need to face foreign enemies abroad. Duckworth’s remarks can be found on the Senator’s YouTube.

    “The unjustified, un-American misuse of the military in American cities pulls resources and attention away from our Armed Forces’ core missions to the detriment of the country, the warfighters and, yes, even the warfighting that Secretary Hegseth claims to love,” said Senator Duckworth. “The military should not be playing cop against their fellow Americans—and the longer they do, the less they’re preparing for real warfighting against real foreign threats to the American people. It’s time Mr. Hegseth let the military get back to its actual job and stop forcing them to do DHS’s. If he wants to be DHS Secretary, he can apply for it when he’s been fired from being Defense Secretary due to his incompetence.”

    During today’s Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing, Duckworth noted that the Trump Administration’s deployment of American servicemembers to California is just the latest in a deliberate, systematic and dangerous politicized campaign to reorient our military away from warfighting and toward intimidating Americans in their own communities. On his first day back in office, President Trump directed U.S. Northern Command to revise its Unified Command Plan and add new planning requirements to combat “criminal activities.” Trump also signed a series of executive orders redirecting the Defense Department’s priorities toward supporting domestic law enforcement, including one in April that tells the Department to “use national security assets for law and order.” This is an egregious misuse of the military that undermines its core mission to protect and defend our nation from foreign threats, and thereby makes all Americans less safe.

    Over the weekend, Duckworth joined U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) and the entire Senate Democratic Caucus in demanding that President Trump immediately withdraw all military forces from Los Angeles and cease all threats to deploy the National Guard or active-duty service members to American cities. And, while questioning the Commandant of the Marine Corps during a hearing last week, Duckworth slammed the Trump Administration’s deployment of 700 Marines into Los Angeles. The Senator said, “I don’t condone violence or property destruction, but using active-duty Marines this way sets a dangerous precedent that risks damaging public trust in our military and politicizing a military force that must remain mission-focused. President Trump is asking Marines to be away from their families for a situation that the President himself said yesterday was ‘simmering, but not very much.’”

    Since he was first nominated and throughout his confirmation hearing, Duckworth has made it clear that Pete Hegseth is manifestly unqualified to lead our men and women in uniform as Secretary of Defense. After his egregious national security breach that needlessly put the lives of our troops in greater danger, Duckworth has demanded that Hegseth resign in disgrace or be fired immediately.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: National Emergencies – Volunteers crucial to our emergency management system – NEMA

    Source: National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)

     

    Emergency management is everyone’s responsibility – and this National Volunteer Week (15-21 June), NEMA is celebrating the people in our communities that put in the hard yards when things get tough.

     

    Volunteers are involved at every level in Aotearoa New Zealand’s emergency management system. They are a crucial part of all four Rs – risk reduction, readiness, response and recovery – and they balance home, family and day jobs alongside stepping up for their communities.

     

    “There are so many ways volunteers contribute to our emergency management system, and we want to thank everyone who gets involved,” NEMA’s Director of Civil Defence Emergency Management John Price says.

    • New Zealand Response Teams (known as NZRTs) support Civil Defence Emergency Management groups, working with emergency services, helping manage evacuations and running Civil Defence Centres. NZRTs are staffed by qualified personnel and there are teams across the country.
    • Most communities have a Civil Defence Centre or community hub, where locals can come together during and after an emergency. These are opened and run by people in the community.
    • Many different organisations provide search and rescue services, including Land Search and Rescue, Coastguard New Zealand, Amateur Radio Emergency Communications and Surf Live Saving New Zealand.
    • Volunteers with Fire and Emergency New Zealand help communities prevent, prepare, respond and recover from emergencies.

     

    “I also want to give a shout-out to the people across the country who help their communities in other ways,” John Price says.

     

    “There are lots of ways to help out in emergencies, whether it’s as part of an organised group or just mucking in and helping your neighbours.

     

    “Volunteers are the golden thread creating closer ties across communities and building the social cohesion that is so important.

     

    “We also need to remember that behind every volunteer who’s out in the field, there are administrators, people running training and logistics – and those at home who are keeping the whānau safe.

     

    “Volunteers tell us they love what they do and find it extremely rewarding, as well as a great way to meet people and build closer ties with communities.”

     

    For those who want to get involved, John Price says there’s more information on NEMA’s Get Ready site, as well as Volunteering New Zealand which can match keen people with opportunities to get stuck in.

     

    “Without our volunteers, we’d be in trouble in an emergency. That’s why we always want to hear from people who can step up when things are tough, and help their community.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • Israel Strikes Iran’s Police Headquarters as Conflict Enters Seventh Day with Mounting Casualties

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Israel-Iran conflict has intensified dramatically as it enters its sixth day, with Israeli forces conducting three waves of airstrikes across Iran while Iranian authorities report mounting casualties from the sustained bombardment. The latest escalation came as Israel targeted Iran’s national police headquarters, injuring several people according to Iranian state news agency IRNA, while Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed his country had destroyed the headquarters of Iran’s public security.

    On Wednesday, Israel launched its most extensive military operation against Iran since the conflict began, carrying out airstrikes in three waves across the day.

    The first wave, overnight, struck around 40 targets in the Tehran area , including centrifuge manufacturing sites and anti-tank missile production facilities. By afternoon, a second series of strikes hit 20 additional locations, focusing on three major missile production centers. The evening assault targeted surface-to-surface missile launch and storage sites in western Iran.

    The sustained bombardment has triggered a mass exodus from Tehran and other Iranian cities. Thousands are fleeing, with reports of widespread panic and heavy congestion along evacuation routes.

    Iranian authorities and human rights groups now estimate at least 585 people have been killed and over 1,300 injured since the start of hostilities , many of them civilians.

    Infrastructure across the region is reeling. Airport closures and travel restrictions continue to disrupt civilian movement and affect foreign nationals throughout West Asia.

    Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed that Israeli strikes successfully hit two centrifuge production sites that were once monitored under the 2015 nuclear deal , a development seen as a significant escalation in efforts to degrade Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

    Iran has responded with overwhelming force, launching over 400 ballistic missiles and approximately 1,000 drones at Israel since hostilities began. While Israel’s defense systems intercepted the majority of incoming projectiles, at least 20 missiles struck urban areas, resulting in 24 confirmed deaths and more than 500 wounded Israelis. Fires and destruction have been reported across Tel Aviv and other major cities as air raid sirens continue to sound throughout the country.

    The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has vowed continued retaliation while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has rejected mounting international pressure for de-escalation. Iran has issued stark warnings that any direct United States intervention would trigger ‘irreparable consequences’ and an ‘all-out war’ throughout West Asia, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.

    U.S President Donald Trump has dramatically escalated American involvement by demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender” while increasing military deployments to the region. The administration is reportedly weighing direct strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and has begun evacuating some embassy personnel from Israel in preparation for possible expanded hostilities. Trump’s shift from earlier calls for restraint to open support for Israeli military actions marks a significant policy change that could reshape the conflict’s trajectory.

  • Israel Strikes Iran’s Police Headquarters as Conflict Enters Seventh Day with Mounting Casualties

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Israel-Iran conflict has intensified dramatically as it enters its sixth day, with Israeli forces conducting three waves of airstrikes across Iran while Iranian authorities report mounting casualties from the sustained bombardment. The latest escalation came as Israel targeted Iran’s national police headquarters, injuring several people according to Iranian state news agency IRNA, while Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed his country had destroyed the headquarters of Iran’s public security.

    On Wednesday, Israel launched its most extensive military operation against Iran since the conflict began, carrying out airstrikes in three waves across the day.

    The first wave, overnight, struck around 40 targets in the Tehran area , including centrifuge manufacturing sites and anti-tank missile production facilities. By afternoon, a second series of strikes hit 20 additional locations, focusing on three major missile production centers. The evening assault targeted surface-to-surface missile launch and storage sites in western Iran.

    The sustained bombardment has triggered a mass exodus from Tehran and other Iranian cities. Thousands are fleeing, with reports of widespread panic and heavy congestion along evacuation routes.

    Iranian authorities and human rights groups now estimate at least 585 people have been killed and over 1,300 injured since the start of hostilities , many of them civilians.

    Infrastructure across the region is reeling. Airport closures and travel restrictions continue to disrupt civilian movement and affect foreign nationals throughout West Asia.

    Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed that Israeli strikes successfully hit two centrifuge production sites that were once monitored under the 2015 nuclear deal , a development seen as a significant escalation in efforts to degrade Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

    Iran has responded with overwhelming force, launching over 400 ballistic missiles and approximately 1,000 drones at Israel since hostilities began. While Israel’s defense systems intercepted the majority of incoming projectiles, at least 20 missiles struck urban areas, resulting in 24 confirmed deaths and more than 500 wounded Israelis. Fires and destruction have been reported across Tel Aviv and other major cities as air raid sirens continue to sound throughout the country.

    The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has vowed continued retaliation while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has rejected mounting international pressure for de-escalation. Iran has issued stark warnings that any direct United States intervention would trigger ‘irreparable consequences’ and an ‘all-out war’ throughout West Asia, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.

    U.S President Donald Trump has dramatically escalated American involvement by demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender” while increasing military deployments to the region. The administration is reportedly weighing direct strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and has begun evacuating some embassy personnel from Israel in preparation for possible expanded hostilities. Trump’s shift from earlier calls for restraint to open support for Israeli military actions marks a significant policy change that could reshape the conflict’s trajectory.

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Kiwis’ Lotto generosity turns into 161 completed cyclone recovery projects – Northland

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says that communities in Northland are benefitting from $3.59 million in grants from funds raised through a special Lotto draw for Cyclone Gabrielle relief, two years later. 
     

    “Cyclone Gabrielle had a devasting impact on Northland, causing widespread destruction to property and requiring significant relief efforts. Now one year after grant applications closed, more than 161 community organisations have received funding to rebuild thanks to the generosity of Kiwis who bought tickets to the special Lotto draw for Cyclone Gabrielle relief,” says Ms van Velden. 
     

    Funds raised from the special Lotto draw were passed on to the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust, which accepted grant applications until May 2024 and distributed all funds by October 2024. Grants were given to community organisations in regions where a state of emergency was declared for Cyclone Gabrielle, which were Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Hawke’s Bay, and Tararua.  
     

    “As well as repairing and replacing community facilities that were damaged by the cyclone, the proceeds of the lottery draw went towards upgrading local emergency services organisations so they can be better prepared for any future severe weather events”. 
     

    Northland projects that received funding include: 

    $6,000 to Surf Life Saving Baylys Beach Incorporated to purchase a generator to supply power for future adverse weather events 

    $20,000 to the Waimamaku Community Civil Defence Group for equipment and supplies to set up the community hall as an emergency assembly point  

    $19,800 to Oakura Beach Reserve Board in Ōakura for a shipping container to store seven generators to be used in emergencies 

    “Raising funds for important community projects is at the heart of what Lotto does. I’m pleased that the funds raised from this special Lotto draw went towards better preparing impacted communities for future events.” 
     

    The special draw was a part of the overall cyclone recovery effort and complemented the work that government, charities, mayoral relief funds, corporate partners and local fundraisers did in raising money to help with the response and recovery in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle. 
     

    The Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust was established by the Crown as an independent entity to distribute funds raised in the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal. The Trust allocated $14,511,916 in total across the regions affected to help recovery efforts, of which $11,770,000 came from the live Lotto NZ draw on 18 March 2023. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Kiwis’ Lotto generosity turns into 178 completed cyclone recovery projects – Hawke’s Bay

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says that communities in Hawke’s Bay are benefitting from $4.77 million in grants from funds raised through a special Lotto draw for Cyclone Gabrielle relief. 

    “Cyclone Gabrielle had a devasting impact on Hawke’s Bay, causing widespread destruction to property and requiring significant relief efforts. Now, one year after grant applications closed, 178 community organisations have received funding to rebuild thanks to the generosity of Kiwis who bought tickets to the special Lotto draw for Cyclone Gabrielle relief,” says Ms van Velden. 

    Funds raised from the special Lotto draw were passed on to the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust, which accepted grant applications until May 2024 and distributed all funds by October 2024. Grants were given to community organisations in regions where a state of emergency was declared for Cyclone Gabrielle, which were Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Hawke’s Bay, and Tararua.  

    “As well as repairing and replacing community facilities that were damaged by the cyclone, the proceeds of the lottery draw went towards upgrading local emergency services organisations so they can be better prepared for any future severe weather events”. 

    Hawke’s Bay projects that received funding include: 

    • $30,000 to Radio Kidnappers Charitable Trust to upgrade its AM transmission and expand emergency radio coverage across Hawke’s Bay 
    • $9,300 to the Ashley Clinton Fire Brigade (Fire and Emergency New Zealand) to purchase and install a generator and starlink 
    • $30,000 to Eskview and Districts Rugby Football Club to build an outside shelter facility for use as a hub in civil defence emergencies  
    • $20,000 to Waipuka Civil Defence to upgrade the emergency stations and communication hub, and expand shelter space 

    “Raising funds for important community projects is at the heart of what Lotto does. I’m pleased that the funds raised from this special Lotto draw went towards better preparing impacted communities for future events.” 

    The special draw was a part of the overall cyclone recovery effort and complemented the work that government, charities, mayoral relief funds, corporate partners and local fundraisers did in raising money to help with the response and recovery in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle. 

    The Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust was established by the Crown as an independent entity to distribute funds raised in the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal. The Trust allocated $14,511,916 in total across the regions affected to help recovery efforts, of which $11,770,000 came from the live Lotto NZ draw on 18 March 2023. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Medallic recognition for NZDF personnel extended

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government has expanded the criteria for medallic recognition for Defence personnel who have served in operations supporting the UN’s sanctions against North Korea, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today.
    “This medal – the New Zealand General Service Medal (NZGSM) 2002 (Korea) – has already been awarded to 180 personnel and the move to widen eligibility means a further 350 personnel will be recognised,” Ms Collins says.
    “Personnel who have served as part of Operation Whio – which monitors the United Nations Security Council’s sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea – since 2018 are now eligible for this medal.
    “Over the past seven years, there have been 19 rotations of Operation Whio – including seven deployments of P-3K2 Orion and P-8A Poseidon aircraft, aircrew and support personnel, and the deployment of HMNZS Aotearoa in 2024.
    The aircraft and ship conducted and supported maritime patrols to detect and deter evasions of United Nations Security Council resolutions imposing sanctions against North Korea. The other rotations were of small numbers of staff officers in headquarters roles.
    “This is another example of how we are contributing to upholding the international rules-based order. 
    “Previously this specific medal, the NZGSM 2002 (Korea), was only awarded to United Nations Command activities relating to preserving the Korean Armistice Agreement,” Ms Collins says.
    “The men and women of our Defence Force rightly deserve this acknowledgement of their service.
    “Our people do what we ask of them, when we ask it, often in trying conditions, and medallic recognition such as this is one way we recognise this.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pacific Partnership 2025 Conducts Mission Stop in Suva, Fiji, June 13, 2025 [Image 23 of 26]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    SUVA, Fiji (June 13, 2025) Operations Specialist 1st Class Ashley Stanley, left, with the Pacific Partnership 2025 (PP-25) team, bids farewell to students of Waiqanake District School after a rugby match as part of PP-25 in Suva, Fiji, June 13, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)

    Date Taken: 06.13.2025
    Date Posted: 06.17.2025 04:59
    Photo ID: 9116988
    VIRIN: 250613-N-ED646-3680
    Resolution: 6937×4624
    Size: 6.58 MB
    Location: SUVA, FJ
    Web Views: 8
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  • MIL-OSI Security: Pacific Partnership 2025 Conducts Mission Stop in Suva, Fiji, June 14, 2025 [Image 1 of 6]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    SUVA, Fiji (June 14, 2025) U.S. Navy Lt. j.g. Derek Chipmon, left, a public health planner with the Pacific Partnership 25 (PP-25) team, is given an apiary tour by a local beekeeper in Suva, Fiji, during PP-25, June 14, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)

    Date Taken: 06.14.2025
    Date Posted: 06.18.2025 23:14
    Photo ID: 9119926
    VIRIN: 250614-N-ED646-7410
    Resolution: 7597×5063
    Size: 9.36 MB
    Location: SUVA, FJ
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  • MIL-OSI Security: Pacific Partnership 2025 Conducts Mission Stop in Suva, Fiji, June 14, 2025 [Image 2 of 6]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    SUVA, Fiji (June 14, 2025) U.S. Navy Lt. Corey Day, left, entomologist assigned to Navy Medicine Readiness Training Command, and Lt. j.g. Derek Chipmon, center, public health planner with the Pacific Partnership 25 (PP-25) team, are given an apiary tour by a local beekeeper in Suva, Fiji, during PP-25, June 14, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)

    Date Taken: 06.14.2025
    Date Posted: 06.18.2025 23:14
    Photo ID: 9123236
    VIRIN: 250614-N-ED646-5507
    Resolution: 8640×5760
    Size: 14.06 MB
    Location: SUVA, FJ
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  • Prime Minister Modi departs for New Delhi after completing successful three-nation tour

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, emplaned for New Delhi after completing a successful visit to Croatia, the last leg of the three nation tour, marking a significant milestone in the bilateral ties between the two countries.

    The Prime Minister’s first stop was Cyprus, followed by Canada, where he attended the G7 Summit, and then Croatia, making it the first visit by an Indian PM to the European nation.

    During his visit, PM Modi was warmly welcomed by the people and government of Croatia. He expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and highlighted the visit’s significance in ushering in a new chapter in the shared journey of friendship and extensive cooperation between India and Croatia.

    “Grateful to the people and Government of Croatia for the warm welcome during what has been a truly landmark visit. This visit ushers in a new chapter in our shared journey of friendship and extensive cooperation,” PM Modi posted on X.

    He noted that the visit marked an important milestone in bilateral relations, with many significant decisions made to strengthen India-Croatia ties.

    His remarks came after a day of high-level engagements, including talks with his Croatian counterpart Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and a ceremonial welcome in the capital city of Zagreb, which he shared highlights of on Wednesday.

    Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi posted a series of updates on his engagements during the visit. He wrote, “Grateful to my friend, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic for the special gesture of showing me the city centre of the historical and culturally rich city of Zagreb.”

    He also shared glimpses of the ceremonial reception accorded to him in Zagreb, saying, “Pictures from the ceremonial welcome in Zagreb, Croatia.”

    Following his meeting with the Croatian Prime Minister, PM Modi posted, “Held productive talks with my friend, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic in Zagreb. Our talks covered many sectors, aimed at making the India-Croatia bond even stronger. We will be working closely in the fields of defence and security, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, IT, renewable energy, technology and more. Synergies in areas like semiconductors, shipbuilding, connectivity and more will also be greatly beneficial.”

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that India and Croatia will promote cooperation in several areas including pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and information technology.

    He added that a Defence Cooperation Plan will also be formulated for long-term collaboration in the defence sector. In a joint press statement with Croatia PM Andrej Plenkovic after their delegation-level talks, PM Modi said the two countries have emphasised joint research and collaboration between their academic institutions and India will share its space experience with Croatia.

    PM Modi reached Croatia earlier in the day in the last leg of his three-nation visit. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Croatian Prime Minister and the Croatian government for the enthusiasm, warmth and affection with which he has been welcomed.

    “This is the first visit of any Indian Prime Minister to Croatia, and I have had the good fortune of it. India and Croatia are connected by common values like democracy, rule of law, pluralism and quality. It is a happy coincidence that last year the people of India have given me and the people of Croatia have given the opportunity to Croatian Prime Minister, Andrej Plenkovic, to serve for the third consecutive time,” he said. The Prime Minister was earlier accorded ceremonial welcome on his arrival in Croatia. (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bersama Warrior 2025 Kicks Off with Opening Ceremony, Strengthening U.S.-Malaysia Defense Ties

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    KUANTAN (TANJONG GELANG), Malaysia — The 11th annual Bersama Warrior exercise began with an opening ceremony on June 17 with keynote addresses from Malaysian Lt. Gen. Dato’ Zahani Bin Hj Zainal Abidin and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Michael Ake in Kuantan, Malaysia.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bersama Warrior 2025 Kicks Off with Opening Ceremony, Strengthening U.S.-Malaysia Defense Ties

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    KUANTAN (TANJONG GELANG), Malaysia — The 11th annual Bersama Warrior exercise began with an opening ceremony on June 17 with keynote addresses from Malaysian Lt. Gen. Dato’ Zahani Bin Hj Zainal Abidin and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Michael Ake in Kuantan, Malaysia.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley Leads Quad Cities Lawmakers in Pressing U.S. Army for Answers on Rock Island Arsenal

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
    WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) led a group of Quad Cities lawmakers, including Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) and Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.), in a letter to U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll reemphasizing their request for a briefing to discuss any potential command and personnel changes at the Rock Island Arsenal (RIA). Members of the Iowa and Illinois congressional delegation first requested a dedicated briefing in April. 
    “The details you or Army leadership have reported to Congress differ from those shared with us from the RIA community. As the Army continues to implement transformation initiatives, we hear about the personnel impacts, such as roughly 150 positions within [Joint Munitions Command] headquarters, and 400 positions Arsenal wide that will be eliminated once the initiative is complete. We request a full briefing on the implementation plans, including workforce and mission impacts, and proposed timelines,” the lawmakers said. 
    The lawmakers underscored how the RIA community contributes significantly to the objectives of the Army to deliver warfighting capabilities and will continue to do so in the future.  
    “While we can appreciate and recognize the need to eliminate inefficiencies and support our national defense objectives, which may include reductions in workforce, we would like to understand the obsolete programs that the Army finds are present at RIA … We find that RIA is a highly efficient installation, as demonstrated by the dedicated workforce and capabilities embedded there. Contradictory conclusions should be justified by evidence,” the lawmakers continued. 
    Background:
    Grassley has long been a champion for Rock Island Arsenal, including through his legislation to expand manufacturing opportunities for Army arsenals. He also helped secure provisions in appropriations legislation and the annual defense bill to help ensure the long-term viability of the Rock Island Arsenal. Along with the other signatories, he introduced the Arsenal Workload Sustainment Act in March to boost workload at Army arsenals, including Rock Island Arsenal. 
    Text of the letter can be found HERE or below. 
    VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION 
    The Honorable Daniel D. Driscoll   
    Secretary of the U.S. Army   
    Dear Secretary Driscoll,  
    We appreciate your recent testimonies before the House and Senate Armed Services Committees in which you highlighted the importance of the Rock Island Arsenal (RIA). As you continue to plan and implement the reorganization outlined in the April 30, 2025, Army Transformation and Acquisition Reform memorandum, we ask that the Department of the Army be forthcoming and transparent with all stakeholders of RIA, especially members of Congress.  
    On April 4, 2025, members of the Iowa and Illinois delegation wrote to you outlining the saliency of RIA and requested a briefing to discuss any potential command and personnel changes to be made at the Arsenal. Unfortunately, our offices have not been provided a dedicated briefing on these plans, regardless of continual follow-up and directives being released to realign the headquarters and units within the Army Material Command (AMC) and Joint Munitions Command (JMC). From our questions during the broader Army transformation brief to the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) staff on May 22, and the SASC Army posture hearing on June 5, the last we understand from the Army is that the impact will be the likely removal of 100 personnel and the elimination of a data center. The details you or Army leadership have reported to Congress differ from those shared with us from the RIA community. 
    As the Army continues to implement transformation initiatives, we hear about the personnel impacts, such as roughly 150 positions within JMC headquarters, and 400 positions Arsenal wide that will be eliminated once the initiative is complete. We request a full briefing on the implementation plans, including workforce and mission impacts, and proposed timelines.  
    On May 21, 2025, the Department of the Army provided a response to a letter sent by members of the Iowa and Illinois delegation. While we can appreciate and recognize the need to eliminate inefficiencies and support our national defense objectives, which may include reductions in workforce, we would like to understand the obsolete programs that the Army finds are present at RIA. This includes the outdated, redundant, and inefficient programs cited in the May 21 response. We find that RIA is a highly efficient installation, as demonstrated by the dedicated workforce and capabilities embedded there. Contradictory conclusions should be justified by evidence.  
    It is encouraging to know that you and the Army are willing to work to improve the workload and operations at RIA, which may lead to additional jobs. The RIA community has contributed significantly to the objectives of the Army to deliver warfighting capabilities, and we have no doubt that it will continue to do so in the future. We look forward to hearing from you on the Army’s course of action for RIA and working with you increase the workload at RIA. Thank you for your continued dedication to our soldiers and to Army readiness.  
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Scott, Colleagues Lead Effort to Strengthen Review of Foreign Land Purchases Near Sensitive U.S. Military Sites

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, is leading an effort to strengthen national security by ensuring the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) can effectively review foreign land purchases near sensitive military, intelligence, and national laboratory sites.

    The Protect Our Bases Act, which Senator Scott introduced along with Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), and Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), requires CFIUS member agencies to annually update records of the military, intelligence, and national laboratory facilities that should be designated as sensitive sites for national security purposes.   

    “The Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to infiltrate and surveil all parts of the U.S national security apparatus requires vigilance from our national security agencies. This legislation will enhance the review of foreign real estate transactions near critical national security installations, helping ensure CFIUS has the information it needs to protect our homeland and keep our nation safe,” said Senator Scott.

    “We must protect sensitive military and government sites from foreign adversaries pursuing intelligence activities on our own land,” said Senator Crapo. “Idaho has multiple military installations and the acclaimed Idaho National laboratory conducting vital research, development and training of critical national security efforts right here in our back yard, and increasing accountability about land sales around these sites is of utmost importance.”

    “We must address the growing threat from the Chinese Communist Party and other hostile regimes trying to get close to our most sensitive military and intelligence sites,” said Senator Tillis. “The Protect Our Bases Act ensures the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States has the most up-to-date information on key U.S. national security locations so dangerous land purchases can be blocked well before they become security risks.”

    “Ensuring the safety and security of our military and government installations is a national priority,” said Senator Hagerty. “For too long, foreign adversaries have tried to exploit America’s open real estate market and rule of law in an attempt to gain strategic footholds. The Protect Our Bases Act gives our nation the tools to identify who is buying land near sensitive sites and stop transactions that could put the security of Americans at risk.”

    “As threats from our foreign adversaries, including the Chinese Communist Party, Iran, and Russia, continue to escalate, it’s paramount that we secure our intelligence,” said Senator Britt. “Allowing CFIUS to review foreign land purchases near sensitive military and government sites is just common sense. Proud to join this legislation that takes a crucial step toward strengthening our national security and safeguarding our strategic advantages.”

    “There’s no reason why America’s adversaries should be able to buy land next to our military bases,” said Senator Ricketts. “Farmland adjacent to sensitive sites should remain in the hands of American farmers and ranchers, not Communist China. This commonsense bill will help to protect our troops, prevent espionage, and counter our adversaries.”

    “It’s become all too apparent in recent years that our nation faces a threat from land purchases by foreign adversaries. Allowing the Chinese Communist Party to purchase land near our military bases and government sites poses a severe risk to our national security,” said Senator Moreno. “ We need to strengthen CFIUS to review these purchases near sensitive national security installations to protect our nation’s security from being compromised by the CCP and other enemies.”

    “The security of our nation’s military operations and intelligence cannot be taken lightly,” said Senator McCormick. “Conducting rigorous oversight of foreign real estate transactions near our bases is essential to upholding our national security. This legislation is a much-needed step toward combatting China’s malign influence.”

    BACKGROUND:

    In 2022, Fufeng Group, a Chinese company with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, announced it would purchase land near Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) determined that it could not evaluate the transaction for national security risks because the Department of Defense had not listed the base as a sensitive site for national security purposes. Although the City of Grand Forks ultimately blocked the transaction, the incident demonstrated a significant flaw in the review process of foreign land purchases. CFIUS relies on its member agencies to provide updated information on sensitive military, intelligence, and national laboratory sites in order to properly assess the security risk of foreign investment in our country. If CFIUS member agencies do not appropriately update their site lists, CFIUS cannot ensure an accurate review.

    In addition to requiring agencies represented on CFIUS to provide updated records of the military, intelligence, and national laboratory facilities that should be sensitive sites on an annual basis, the Protect Our Bases Act makes these records easier for CFIUS to use for national security reviews and requires CFIUS to submit an annual report to Congress certifying the completion of such reviews and the accuracy of its real estate listings.

    For bill text, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Speaks with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) participated in a Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing to discuss the Department of Defense’s (DOD) budget for Fiscal Year 2026. During the hearing, Senator Tuberville and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth discussed utilizing AI for military modernization and improving standards for military personnel. Additionally, Senator Tuberville and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General J. Daniel Caine, discussed the future of war fighting.

    Read Senator Tuberville’s remarks below or on YouTube or Rumble.

    ON LIBERATING LOS ANGELES AND MILITARY PERSONNEL QUALITY OF LIFE

    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thanks for being here today. Mr. Secretary, thanks for looking out for the law enforcement and the millions of people in California that still love this country and want this country to survive and not the radicals that wave non-American flags, that protest in the streets, tear things down. It is ridiculous and thank you for doing what you’re doing, you and President Trump. It’s getting out of hand.”

    [I’m] chairman of the [Senate Armed Services] Personnel [sub]committee. Thanks for your recruiting. You’re doing great. Keep looking out after the quality of life [of our troops]. Please do that. We’ve done research after research. We did give a raise. We wanna continue to give raises. These first-year staffers in this building make tens of thousands [of] dollars more than first-year military personnel. That’s not right. We need to change that. It’s an all-volunteer army and thank you for working towards that.” 

    ON MILITARY STANDARDS

    TUBERVILLE: “Mr. Secretary, your opening remarks mentioned the force-wide review of military standards. What’s the status of that review?”

    HEGSETH: “It is ongoing and very close to fruition. We’ve reviewed standards, specifically on Combat MOSs first to ensure that we haven’t seen a reduction in pursuit of quotas or any other agendas. So, standards are being moved back to where they were at their highest level, gender neutral. And then we’re looking at overall fitness standards, overall grooming standards, overall basic standards across our formations that we believe have slipped certainly under the previous administration, but over decades. But we’re being very careful about it too. We don’t wanna make big changes that are wide-sweeping that have unintended consequences. So, we’re looking service by service, but also trying to simplify and clarify as much as possible. High standards, clear standards that set us apart.”

    TUBERVILLE: “Thanks for your help on putting me on the Air Force Board of Visitors […] and I look forward to going out soon, it is very important. We understand we do have problems in the Air Force Academy, and we’re going to get those straightened out, one way or another. So, thanks for you and President Trump for putting me on the board of visitors.”

    ON THE FUTURE OF WARFIGHTING

    TUBERVILLE: “General Caine, over the last few years, we’ve seen major efforts to refocus our services for future fights, Marine Corps force design, and the Army’s Transformation Initiative—[these] are major changes to the Joint Force. Can you describe the Joint Staff’s level of involvement in these efforts?”

    CAINE: “Sure. Thanks for the question. As the services carefully consider what they need to look like, one of my primary jobs is a global integrator. And so, I look at all of these capabilities as well as capacities. And then through a series of formal products that we deliver to the secretary have a chance to give the secretary my views on this. I appreciate the leadership of both of those services, all of the services, and the combatant commanders to identify what the fight of the future looks like and what the force mix of the future needs to look like. So, we’re deeply involved in all that.”

    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you.”

    ON MILITARY SERVICE AND SPORTS

    TUBERVILLE: “This is right up my alley here. One important aspect of recruiting is how our services are represented in elite sports. We have made progress here, but we still have to work and work some things out. But West Point this year had a young man that was drafted to play baseball. In the past time when President Trump was in [office], he allowed them to go, do their thing, and [play] baseball, then come back and fulfill their service, but we are disallowing a young man at West Point to go to Major League Baseball. Could you look into that Mr. Secretary?”

    HEGSETH: “Coach, we will review that. Yes.”

    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.”

    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Speaks with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) participated in a Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing to discuss the Department of Defense’s (DOD) budget for Fiscal Year 2026. During the hearing, Senator Tuberville and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth discussed utilizing AI for military modernization and improving standards for military personnel. Additionally, Senator Tuberville and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General J. Daniel Caine, discussed the future of war fighting.

    Read Senator Tuberville’s remarks below or on YouTube or Rumble.

    ON LIBERATING LOS ANGELES AND MILITARY PERSONNEL QUALITY OF LIFE

    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thanks for being here today. Mr. Secretary, thanks for looking out for the law enforcement and the millions of people in California that still love this country and want this country to survive and not the radicals that wave non-American flags, that protest in the streets, tear things down. It is ridiculous and thank you for doing what you’re doing, you and President Trump. It’s getting out of hand.”

    [I’m] chairman of the [Senate Armed Services] Personnel [sub]committee. Thanks for your recruiting. You’re doing great. Keep looking out after the quality of life [of our troops]. Please do that. We’ve done research after research. We did give a raise. We wanna continue to give raises. These first-year staffers in this building make tens of thousands [of] dollars more than first-year military personnel. That’s not right. We need to change that. It’s an all-volunteer army and thank you for working towards that.” 

    ON MILITARY STANDARDS

    TUBERVILLE: “Mr. Secretary, your opening remarks mentioned the force-wide review of military standards. What’s the status of that review?”

    HEGSETH: “It is ongoing and very close to fruition. We’ve reviewed standards, specifically on Combat MOSs first to ensure that we haven’t seen a reduction in pursuit of quotas or any other agendas. So, standards are being moved back to where they were at their highest level, gender neutral. And then we’re looking at overall fitness standards, overall grooming standards, overall basic standards across our formations that we believe have slipped certainly under the previous administration, but over decades. But we’re being very careful about it too. We don’t wanna make big changes that are wide-sweeping that have unintended consequences. So, we’re looking service by service, but also trying to simplify and clarify as much as possible. High standards, clear standards that set us apart.”

    TUBERVILLE: “Thanks for your help on putting me on the Air Force Board of Visitors […] and I look forward to going out soon, it is very important. We understand we do have problems in the Air Force Academy, and we’re going to get those straightened out, one way or another. So, thanks for you and President Trump for putting me on the board of visitors.”

    ON THE FUTURE OF WARFIGHTING

    TUBERVILLE: “General Caine, over the last few years, we’ve seen major efforts to refocus our services for future fights, Marine Corps force design, and the Army’s Transformation Initiative—[these] are major changes to the Joint Force. Can you describe the Joint Staff’s level of involvement in these efforts?”

    CAINE: “Sure. Thanks for the question. As the services carefully consider what they need to look like, one of my primary jobs is a global integrator. And so, I look at all of these capabilities as well as capacities. And then through a series of formal products that we deliver to the secretary have a chance to give the secretary my views on this. I appreciate the leadership of both of those services, all of the services, and the combatant commanders to identify what the fight of the future looks like and what the force mix of the future needs to look like. So, we’re deeply involved in all that.”

    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you.”

    ON MILITARY SERVICE AND SPORTS

    TUBERVILLE: “This is right up my alley here. One important aspect of recruiting is how our services are represented in elite sports. We have made progress here, but we still have to work and work some things out. But West Point this year had a young man that was drafted to play baseball. In the past time when President Trump was in [office], he allowed them to go, do their thing, and [play] baseball, then come back and fulfill their service, but we are disallowing a young man at West Point to go to Major League Baseball. Could you look into that Mr. Secretary?”

    HEGSETH: “Coach, we will review that. Yes.”

    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.”

    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Russia is becoming a notable partner of China in the economy – Russian President V. Putin

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    St. Petersburg, June 19 /Xinhua/ — Russia is becoming a significant economic partner of China, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in response to a question from Xinhua News Agency Director General Fu Hua during a meeting with heads of international news agencies on the sidelines of the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which is being held in St. Petersburg from June 18 to 21.

    “Russia is becoming a very visible partner for the People’s Republic of China in the economic sphere,” he noted.

    According to V. Putin, the volume of bilateral trade turnover of 240 billion US dollars is decent. In addition, Russia and China have planned investment projects worth 200 billion dollars. “And they are all realistic, they will all be implemented, I have no doubts,” he said.

    At the same time, the Russian President emphasized that the expansion of Russia’s economic cooperation with China is not connected with “some kind of turn” toward Asia. According to him, this is a natural direction of cooperation, and relations with China were not built yesterday. “This is not a matter of opportunism. All this is happening to a large extent, I must say frankly, due to the growth in the volume and quality of the Chinese economy, and, I hope, the growth in the volume and quality of the Russian economy,” the Russian leader added.

    Speaking about the priorities of bilateral cooperation, V. Putin named the financial sphere. “We need to ensure, of course, reliable financial flows that ensure growing volumes of trade turnover,” he said.

    The Russian President also spoke about the need to focus more on high-tech areas: the construction of heavy helicopters, space, and aircraft manufacturing. He praised China’s achievements in information technology. “I was surprised and pleased when the Chinese achieved simply demonstratively outstanding results in the development of artificial intelligence. It turned out to be 10 times cheaper than our competitors, and 10 times more effective – this is the result that our Chinese friends have achieved,” he noted.

    As V. Putin emphasized, military-technical cooperation is developing between Russia and China, which, according to him, is extremely important in order to “guarantee stability in world affairs.” “We have a whole plan for cooperation in this area, and the Ministry of Defense has its own plans for interaction. We regularly conduct exercises and will conduct them this year,” the president said.

    The Russian leader also declared his readiness to exchange military technologies with China. “We know about the wishes of our Chinese friends. This is not just about buying and selling, but about exchanging technologies. We are ready for this and will work in all directions,” he concluded. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Wicker Leads SASC Hearing on the FY26 Defense Budget with Senior Pentagon Leadership

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Mississippi Roger Wicker

    Watch Video Here

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today led a hearing to receive testimony from the Pentagon’s senior leaders on the department’s fiscal year 2026 budget.

     

    In his opening remarks, Chairman Wicker praised President Trump’s “peace through strength” leadership and Secretary Hegseth’s achievements in implementing that agenda at the Pentagon. The chairman also noted that maintaining the national defense budget at $893 billion, even with an additive $150 billion from defense reconciliation, would result in United States military spending falling far below 3 percent of GDP by 2029.

     

    Read Chairman Wicker’s hearing opening statement as delivered.

     

    The committee convenes this morning to hear testimony concerning the president’s fiscal year 2026 budget request. I welcome Secretary Hegseth, Chairman Caine, and Acting Comptroller MacDonnell.

     

    As we review the past five months, the president and the Department of Defense have much to be proud of. The administration has largely succeeded in refocusing the Pentagon on warfighting.  Our recruitment numbers have dramatically improved.  That is a very important achievement and one we will continue to celebrate.

     

    The U.S. military has played a significant supporting role in the president’s wholesale success at our southern border.  He has achieved operational control over the situation – a position the vast majority of Americans support.

     

    In Operation Rough Rider, the president imposed costs on the Houthis.  The operation was well executed by our service members, and it appears to have achieved its stated objectives for now.  Similarly, the president has relentlessly struck al-Qaeda and ISIS terrorists.  Those strikes have helped to open up space for diplomatic breakthroughs in Syria, and they have prevented significant external attacks that could have emanated from Somalia.

     

    Unfortunately, the Axis of Aggressors is resilient.  It is hell-bent on challenging American global leadership.

     

    It is clearer than ever that Vladimir Putin is uninterested in President Trump’s and President Zelenskyy’s offers for real peace negotiations.  The Europeans are heeding the president’s call to re-arm, but we are in a tenuous period: A precipitate withdrawal of U.S. forces from Europe could undo all that progress.

     

    In Asia, the Chinese Communist Party continues its campaign of aggression against its neighbors and still displays open ambitions to retake Taiwan.  Secretary Hegseth recently made this crucial point in an important speech in Shangri-La. He said, “China seeks to become a hegemonic power in Asia.”  He is right.  China intends to use military force to achieve Xi Jinping’s goals.

     

    Meanwhile, in the Middle East, the Ayatollah is hiding as his regime crumbles.  He still refusing to negotiate.

     

    In short, this is the most dangerous national security moment since World War II.  Unconstrained, aggressive dictators are on the move.  And, importantly, the character of warfare is rapidly changing.  That is a dangerous combination. We cannot have an American-led Golden Age of peace and prosperity if we fail to navigate these historic security challenges.

     

    President Trump is actively working to protect American interests against four main adversaries: Xi Jinping and his Chinese Communist Party, Vladimir Putin’s militarized Russia, Kim Jong Un’s North Korea, and the Ayatollah’s religious fanatics, including his web of terrorists. Our commander-in-chief deserves a military capable of maintaining deterrence and applying force when necessary to protect U.S. interests – as he has done in Yemen.  I regret to say that this fiscal year 2026 budget request will not deliver that military.

     

    When Secretary Hegseth testified before this committee in his confirmation hearing, he made the correct point that spending less than 3 percent of GDP on defense would be, and I quote, “very dangerous.” What we have in front of us is an inadequate budget request with precious little detail and no follow-on data about fiscal years 2027, 2028, or 2029. We must assume – and, in fact, we have heard – that OMB intends to maintain defense spending at $893 billion across the four years of this administration.  Even with a one-time $150 billion reconciliation infusion, this would leave us at 2.65 percent of GDP by 2029 – below the 3% of GDP, and well below the 5% of GDP that we really really need. Clearly, such a budget plan would allow the military balance to continue – as it has been, to tilt away from the United States and toward Communist China. Communist China has increased its budget by over 7% each year for the past decade.

     

    I know the secretary fought for a stronger fiscal year 2026 discretionary request, but we need to acknowledge that a flat fiscal year 2026 budget is what OMB delivered.  I expect we will spend today reviewing the numerous significant holes in this request – gaps that will make it much more difficult for President Trump to equip our service members and for his advisors to develop credible military options.

     

    Across the budget, we see significant holes: shipbuilding, tactical fighters, basic maintenance money, and more – all insufficient.  The budget seems to be written as if there are many items in the reconciliation package that simply are not in that bill.  This is confusing, because the text of the reconciliation bill has been public for quite some time. Chairman Rogers, of the House, and I worked closely with the executive branch on the contents of the package.  This budget threatens to undermine the good work we have done together on that bill, and it leads me to question whether some officials in the administration plan to ignore congressional intent.

     

    I believe ignoring congressional intent would be a wrong-headed decision for the United States of America. We all work for the American people and share largely identical goals when it comes to deterring Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and other threats.  We need to work much more closely together on investment strategies and actions necessary to rebuild our industrial base.  The president and the Congress want action on reindustrialization.  We want to rebuild the Arsenal of Democracy.  We need action on industrial base integration, streamlined weapons sales, and cooperation with our allies and partners.  We agree on fundamentally changing the way the DOD budgets and handles acquisition.  Now, we need to agree on providing the men and women of the Department of Defense with the resources they need to do their jobs. We have no time to waste, and we must commit to continued collaboration now.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Secures Victory to Prevent Sexual Assault in the Military

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)

    Published: June 18, 2025

    DoD has appointed an official to oversee sexual assault prevention and has already begun updating Senator Ernst.

    WASHINGTON – After years of her work, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a combat veteran, secured a key victory to prevent sexual assault in the military. She discussed with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth how the Department of Defense (DoD) has appointed Steve Erickson to oversee its Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO). Erickson has already begun updating Senator Ernst, so they can work together to end sexual assault in the military.
    During the hearing, Ernst also pointed out how Iran has American blood on its hands, including how it backed the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks that took the lives of 43 Americans. Ernst continued her calls for DoD to pass a clean audit by 2028.

    Watch Senator Ernst’s full remarks here.
    “Secretary Hegseth, I do want to thank you because we’ve had many discussions about this. You have appointed Steve Erickson as the Executor of Director of Force Resiliency, and he will oversee the Department’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office…and he will directly report to you on the issue of sexual assault within our military. You’ve been very responsive on this issue, and I commend you for that. I have already received my first briefing by Mr. Erickson. To continue building on this progress, I’m going to hold quarterly meetings with the SAPRO, and we want to make sure that we continue the momentum that we are seeing within the Department on that,” said Senator Ernst. 
    “First of all, Senator, I want to thank you and other members of this committee for the work you’ve done on that issue. And I think in large part, and you’ll see this in this budget, we continue to fund the programs, which have seen efficacy. And so I think a lot of these were newer programs, new initiatives, new emphasis put in place that we have simply sought to maintain and accelerate, and you see that in that in this budget. And thankfully, we’ve seen this year sexual assault numbers decrease. One is too many, as we’ve said before, but a decrease is a good trend to see and we want to continue that,” said Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Secures Victory to Prevent Sexual Assault in the Military

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)

    Published: June 18, 2025

    DoD has appointed an official to oversee sexual assault prevention and has already begun updating Senator Ernst.

    WASHINGTON – After years of her work, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a combat veteran, secured a key victory to prevent sexual assault in the military. She discussed with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth how the Department of Defense (DoD) has appointed Steve Erickson to oversee its Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO). Erickson has already begun updating Senator Ernst, so they can work together to end sexual assault in the military.
    During the hearing, Ernst also pointed out how Iran has American blood on its hands, including how it backed the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks that took the lives of 43 Americans. Ernst continued her calls for DoD to pass a clean audit by 2028.

    Watch Senator Ernst’s full remarks here.
    “Secretary Hegseth, I do want to thank you because we’ve had many discussions about this. You have appointed Steve Erickson as the Executor of Director of Force Resiliency, and he will oversee the Department’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office…and he will directly report to you on the issue of sexual assault within our military. You’ve been very responsive on this issue, and I commend you for that. I have already received my first briefing by Mr. Erickson. To continue building on this progress, I’m going to hold quarterly meetings with the SAPRO, and we want to make sure that we continue the momentum that we are seeing within the Department on that,” said Senator Ernst. 
    “First of all, Senator, I want to thank you and other members of this committee for the work you’ve done on that issue. And I think in large part, and you’ll see this in this budget, we continue to fund the programs, which have seen efficacy. And so I think a lot of these were newer programs, new initiatives, new emphasis put in place that we have simply sought to maintain and accelerate, and you see that in that in this budget. And thankfully, we’ve seen this year sexual assault numbers decrease. One is too many, as we’ve said before, but a decrease is a good trend to see and we want to continue that,” said Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Coons, Schumer, Murray, Reed, Warner statement on President Trump’s actions in the Middle East

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons

    WASHINGTON – Ranking Senate Defense Appropriator Chris Coons (D-Del.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senate Appropriations Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Senate Armed Services Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D-Va.) today released the following statement as President Trump considers taking additional action in the Middle East:

    “Intensifying military actions between Israel and Iran represent a dangerous escalation that risks igniting a broader regional war. Iran poses a risk to the United States and our allies and must not be allowed to attain a nuclear weapon. The United States stands firm in our support for the continued defense of Israel, our partner and ally. Our commitment to Israel remains ironclad and we urge the administration to defend Israel against the barrage of Iranian airstrikes, including through the provision of additional air defense capabilities. We urge President Trump to prioritize diplomacy and pursue a binding agreement that can prevent a nuclear-armed Iran and reduce the risk to our diplomats, our service members, and the hundreds of thousands of Americans living in the Middle East.

    “As President Trump reportedly considers expanding U.S. engagement in the war, we are deeply concerned about a lack of preparation, strategy, and clearly defined objectives, and the enormous risk to Americans and civilians in the region. Iran has signaled that it would retaliate against American personnel if the United States participates in military strikes. More than 40,000 U.S. servicemembers are stationed in more than a dozen countries around the Middle East, all within striking distance of Iran and its proxies.

    “We are alarmed by the Trump administration’s failure to provide answers to fundamental questions. By law, the president must consult Congress and seek authorization if he is considering taking the country to war. He owes Congress and the American people a strategy for U.S. engagement in the region. We need a clear, detailed plan outlining the goals, risks, cost, and timeline for any proposed mission, as well as how he will ensure the safe evacuation of Americans in harm’s way all across the region. We demand immediate, detailed answers on these and other urgent matters to determine the way forward, including:

    1. What more needs to be done to resupply and bolster the defense of Israel and our interests in the region? What additional resources are required to maintain and supplement those defenses? 
    2. What is the Intelligence Community’s current assessment of Iran’s nuclear program, its leaders’ intent, and its capabilities? Following nearly a week of Israeli strikes, what remains of Iran’s conventional military capabilities and nuclear enrichment?
    3. What would be the objective of U.S. military intervention against Iran? President Trump has called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” – what does that mean?
    4. If there was a military intervention, what would be the estimated scope and duration of any such campaign? How many U.S. servicemembers would be involved? What resources and munitions would be required? What would such an operation cost?
    5. What would be the risk to U.S. forces across our bases in the region, both today and in the long term, and what steps is the administration prepared to take to protect our servicemembers?
    6. How many American citizens reside in Israel and surrounding countries, and what is the U.S. plan to facilitate evacuations?
    7. What constitutional or statutory authority would underpin this intervention?

    “Congress is an equal partner in preserving and defending U.S. national security around the world, and Congress has not provided authorization for military action against Iran – we will not rubberstamp military intervention that puts the United States at risk. Our foremost duty is to safeguard American citizens wherever they reside and to protect our troops serving on the front lines. The United States cannot sleepwalk into a third war in as many decades. Congress has a critical role to play in this moment.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Amnesty International – Urgent need to protect civilians amid unprecedented escalation in hostilities between Israel and Iran

    Source: Amnesty International
    As more and more civilians bear the cruel toll of the terrifying military escalation in Iran and Israel since 13 June 2025, and amid threats of further escalation in the conflict, Amnesty International is urging the Israeli and Iranian authorities to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians.
    On 16 June, an Iranian government spokesperson reported that Israeli attacks had killed at least 224 people, including 74 women and children, without specifying how many of them were civilians. The health ministry also stated 1,800 people have been injured.
    In Israel, the Israeli Military Home Front reported that Iranian attacks had killed at least 24 people, including women and children, stating that they were all civilians, with nearly 600 injured.
    “As the number of deaths and injuries continue to rise, Amnesty International is urging both parties to comply with their obligations and ensure that civilians in both countries do not further pay the price of reckless military action,” said Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
    “Further escalation of these hostilities risks unleashing devastating and far-reaching consequences for civilians across the region and beyond.
    “Statements by the US and the G7 so far have failed to recognise the catastrophic impact this escalation will have on civilians in both countries.
    “Instead of cheering on one party to the conflict over another as if civilian suffering is a mere sideshow, states must ensure the protection of civilians. Preventing further suffering must be the priority – not the pursuit of military or geopolitical goals.
    “Both Israeli and Iranian authorities have time and again demonstrated their utter disregard for international human rights and humanitarian law, committing grave international crimes with impunity.
    “The world must not allow Israel to use this military escalation to divert attention away from its ongoing genocide against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip, its illegal occupation of the whole Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and its system of apartheid against Palestinians.
    “Likewise, the international community must not ignore the suffering that decades of crimes under international law by the Iranian authorities have inflicted upon people inside Iran, that is now being compounded by relentless bombardment.”
    Under international humanitarian law, all parties must take all feasible precautions to spare civilians and minimize their suffering and casualties. International humanitarian law strictly prohibits attacks directed at civilians and civilian objects, as well as attacks which do not distinguish between military targets and civilians or civilian infrastructure.
    For this reason, weapons that are extremely inaccurate and have large warheads that produce large area effects, such as ballistic missiles, should never be used in areas with large populations of civilians. Attacks on military objectives that are likely to result in disproportionate civilian casualties or destruction of civilian objects are also prohibited.
    In the deadliest incident in Israel, eight people including three children, were killed in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, on 15 June.
    In Iran, at least 12 people including children and a pregnant woman were killed in one attack in Tajrish square in Tehran on 15 June.
    In the shadow of this latest escalation, Israeli authorities continue to forcibly displace and starve Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip as part of their ongoing genocide. They have imposed a full closure on the West Bank, where state-backed settler violence continues to rise, further entrenching Israel’s illegal occupation and apartheid system.
    Meanwhile, Iranian authorities have responded to Israel’s latest military attacks by imposing internet restrictions, arresting journalists and dissidents within the country. They have also restricted prisoners’ communication with the outside world, including those in prisons near sites of the bombings. On 16 June, the Iranian authorities executed a man for alleged espionage for Israel, raising concerns about the fate of others on death row for similar charges. The Iranian authorities must release all human rights defenders and others arbitrarily detained and should relocate other prisoners away from locations at risk of being attacked by Israel.
    Sinister and fear-inducing ‘ warnings’
    Over the past three days, Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Defence Israel Katz, and Persian-language spokesperson of the Israeli army Kamal Pinchasi have issued alarming threats and overly broad, ineffective evacuation warnings to millions of civilians in Tehran a major city with a population of around 10 million people, located in Tehran province which is home to around 19 million people. In some cases, warnings were issued in the middle of the night when residents were asleep or did not clarify if they referred to the city or the province of Tehran.
    On 16 June, Israel Katz, Israel’s Minister of Defense threatened on X that “the residents of Tehran will be forced to pay the price” for the actions of the Iranian authorities. Hours later, the Israeli military’s Persian-language spokesperson warned civilians to evacuate Tehran’s District Three – an area of approximately 30 square km and home to over 350,000 people- via a video showing unclear danger zones. The video included a map indicating danger zones for civilians but did not clearly specify targeted locations or areas of blast and fragmentation hazard, leaving residents uncertain about which areas to avoid. Iranian civil society activists later republished the map with cleared boundaries and locations named.
    Prior to the “evacuation” warnings on 16 June, the Israeli army had issued another overly broad warning in Persian, instructing people across the country to “immediately leave areas … [housing] military weapons manufacturing facilities and their support institutions”. The statement sowed panic and confusion among people, as the locations of military facilities are not known to the general public, and no clear guidance was provided on where civilians should or should not go to ensure their safety.
    Evacuation warnings, even if detailed and effective, do not release Israel from its other obligations under international humanitarian law. They must not treat as open-fire zones areas for which they have issued warnings. Millions of people in Tehran cannot leave, either because they have no alternative residences outside the city or due to limited mobility, disability, blocked roads, fuel shortages or other constraints. Israel has an obligation to take all feasible precautions to minimize harm to these civilians.
    Early morning Tehran time on 17 June, US President Donald Trump caused further panic with a Truth Social post stating: “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the White House amplified the message on X, amid media reports that the United States may join Israel in striking Iran.
    In reaction to the Israeli warnings, Iranian state media reported on 15 June that the Iranian armed forces had issued warnings urging residents of Tel Aviv to evacuate. In a video aired on state media, Reza Sayed, spokesperson of the Communication Center of the General Staff of the Armed Forces stated: “Leave the occupied territories [referring to Israel and the OPT], as they will undoubtedly become uninhabitable for you in the future … Do not allow the criminal regime to use you as human shields. Avoid residing or moving near the aforementioned locations and know that even underground shelters will not provide you with safety.”
    In Israel, these Iranian warnings have not triggered the same level of chaos and mass evacuation, largely due to the presence of the Iron Dome defense system and available shelters. However, there have been cases where civilians, particularly Palestinian citizens of Israel and Bedouin communities, who do not have access to underground shelters, such as the Khatib family in the Palestinian town of Tamra, were killed as a result of an Iranian missile strike. Israeli civil society groups are calling on the government to urgently address the chronic lack of protected space for non-Jewish Israeli citizens
    Parties to armed conflicts are prohibited from issuing threats of violence which are designed to spread terror among the civilian population. They cannot hide behind overly general warnings to claim that they have met their obligations under international law. To constitute effective warnings under international humanitarian law, parties must provide civilians with clear and practical instructions on moving away from military objectives that will be targeted rather than unlawfully calling for the mass exodus of millions – an approach that appears designed more to incite panic and terror among civilians than to ensure their protection.
    Internet shutdowns and media censorship
    In Iran, the authorities have disrupted access to the Internet and instant messaging applications, preventing millions of people caught up in the conflict from accessing essential information and communicating with loved ones both inside and outside the country and thereby exacerbating their suffering.
    “Access to the Internet is essential to protect human rights, especially in times of armed conflict where communications blackouts would prevent people from finding safe routes, accessing life-saving resources, and staying informed. The Iranian authorities must immediately ensure full restoration of internet and communication services in all of Iran,” said Agnès Callamard.
    The Israeli authorities are also using vague security pretexts to target people over social media posts or sharing videos deemed to breach strict censorship rules.
    “Israeli authorities must refrain from using military escalations, as they have done in the past, as a further pretext to crack down on freedom of expression, disproportionately targeting Palestinian citizens of Israel, including through arbitrary detention over unsubstantiated allegations of incitement,” said Agnès Callamard.
    Background
    On 13 June 2025, Israeli authorities launched air and drone strikes against Iranian territory. Shortly afterwards, Israeli officials announced that they launched the operation to target Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities and decapitate Iran’s military leadership. The Israeli strikes began as Iran and the US were in the process of negotiating a new deal to limit Iran’s nuclear program and enrichment activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
    Iranian authorities have retaliated by launching hundreds of missiles and drones against Israeli territory.
    Israeli attacks have struck cities in multiple provinces across Iran, including the provinces of Alborz, East Azerbaijan, Esfahan, Fars, Kermanshah, Hamedan, Lorestan, Ilam, Markazi, Qom, Tehran, West Azerbaijan and Khorasan Razavi.
    Iranian attacks have struck several urban areas in Israel, such as Tel Aviv, Bat Yam, Tamra, Petah Tikva, Bnei Brak, Haifa, Herzliya.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New Russia sanctions target enablers of war, including Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced new sanctions on crucial enablers of Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine.

    This latest round of sanctions targets actors involved in Russia’s military-industrial complex, supporters from North Korea, Iran, and Belarus, as well as vessels that are part of Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’.

    “New Zealand must continue to hold Russia and its enablers accountable. Military support from actors in North Korea, Iran, and Belarus has helped Russia sustain its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine,” Mr Peters said.

    These new sanctions target a further 18 individuals and entities who have been assisting Russia’s war efforts.

    In addition, 27 ‘shadow fleet’ vessels have also been designated. Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ enablers are involved in illegal activities to avoid sanctions, including through the transport of Russian oil at above the G7 Plus oil price cap, which New Zealand adopted last year.

    “The designation of Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ reflects a joint effort with likeminded international partners to prevent sanctions evasion and to maintain the pressure on Russia in support of a just and lasting peace for Ukraine,” Mr Peters says.

    Since the Russia Sanctions Act entered into force in March 2022, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on more than 1,800 individuals, entities, and shipping vessels, along with a range of trade measures. 

    More information about sanctions, travel bans, and export controls against Russia, as well as diplomatic, military and economic support to Ukraine, can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website here

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –